Smokie & The Benjaminz


Dangerous Uprising

This is the period of time that will go down in history as the evolution of Ugandan music industry from obscurity to chart topping talent in various genre worldwide. Since back in the day of the landmark events that shaped the industry like the Sanyu Carnival (2001) and the Hip-hop meets Ragga show (2002), it's hard to imagine how everybody is beginning to realize the gigantic potential the music industry in this country is. And such is the phenomenon personified in the new up coming duo; Smokie & Da Benjamins.

These two guys have got the art that is threatening to boot Tempra Omona from the throne as Luo's most wanted contemporary act. This is the kind of song that could to give Gidigidi Majimaji some competition on both the Luo and international scene.

Firing off with 'Mary Rosie', the two have have successfully blended the past and present with a fusion of Ragga and Luo musicality that is stealing hearts of listeners all over. Already establishing itself a radio hit in the Northern region of the country (the region responsible for Gidigidi Majimaji's success in Uganda), it's just a matter of time before they'll take over the airwaves in the rest of the country.

With 'Mary Rosie', we are talking about the kind of keyboards and strings you could only be heard if Tracy Chapman and Chaka Demus and Pliers gave a colabo a thought, but since they haven't, this is the closest you could ever get.

'Mary Rosie' is the kind of song many people can relate to; eternal love being lost before one's eyes. (Ouch! But that's real life). Any way so much about the song.. download it yourself here and find out. With these guys on the scene, watch your radio (and your girl!!!).

Benjaminz happens to be Bishop Onono Onweng's son.

 How?

 They started out in Northern Uganda - Gulu - under the name 'Soul Squad' doing a blend of Ragga and Hip-hop in Luo. Most of the group members were students at the time so the group wasn't stable. This led to the collapse of the group 'cause they all had to go back to school at the beginning of the term. Smokie and Benjaminz were the lead-singers of the group and decided to come to the City to take their skills to another level.

In Smokie's words 'Mary Rosie marks the return of the Soul Squad'. Other members of the squad were Tripple-B, MC Fire. MC Fire now works with Mega FM in Gulu and Tripple-B just faded 'cause non of them know where he is right now.

MMC was an OB (Old Schoolmate) of Ben in High School and they got to know about him and his Hip-hop production in the news papers. An early school acquaintance turned into probably the tightest studio session that Uganda has seen in the recent past evidenced by the reception the 'Mary Rosie' has received in Northern Uganda so far. MMC is one of East Africa's best upcoming producers and he is helping to birth a new form of contemporary Ugandan music that isn't shy of Hip-hop.

Plans are underway to have the project officially launched and put on circulation on Kampala's FM radios, TV Stations and Clubs. Yes, the video of their debut track i nearing the end of the pipeline and time shall tell the rest of the story.

If I were you, I'd keep watching this space